Deception behind bars: A mixed‐methods investigation of inmates’ beliefs about lie detection

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines incarcerated individuals’ beliefs about deception detection, focusing on perceptions of successful liars, cues used to identify deception and endorsement of stereotypical beliefs.

Methods

A mixed-methods design combining qualitative and quantitative methods was used. Data were collected from 42 inmates (21 females; M = 40.55 years, SD = 10.5) in a maximum-security prison.

Results

Inmates generally believed people can detect lies but may tolerate them to avoid conflict or maintain social harmony. Successful liars were thought to rely on verbal and nonverbal strategies and traits such as self-control and persuasiveness. Participants reported a broad range of verbal and nonverbal deception cues, endorsing empirically documented beliefs about the importance of verbal cues, but also stereotypical ones about the diagnostic function of nonverbal indicators.

Conclusions

The prisoners in our study viewed lie detection as dependent on the liar’s individual characteristics and behaviours, with both positive and negative effects on interpersonal relationships and society. They believed that choosing to trust others without constantly verifying their statements can help avoid conflict, whereas the repeated tolerance or failure to detect lies may allow lie tellers to specialize and ultimately use deception for criminal purposes.